wife

the woman that somebody is married to; a married womanthe doctor’s wifeShe's his second wife.an increase in the number of working wivesCollocationsMarriage and divorceRomancefall/​be (madly/​deeply/​hopelessly) in love (with somebody)be/​believe in/​fall in love at first sightbe/​find true love/​the love of your lifesuffer (from) (the pains/​pangs of) unrequited lovehave/​feel/​show/​express great/​deep/​genuine affection for somebody/​somethingmeet/​marry your husband/​wife/​partner/​fiancé/fiancée/​boyfriend/​girlfriendhave/​go on a (blind) datebe going out with/(especially North American English)dating a guy/​girl/​boy/​man/​womanmove in with/​live with your boyfriend/​girlfriend/​partnerWeddingsget/​be engaged/​married/​divorcedarrange/​plan a weddinghave a big wedding/​a honeymoon/​a happy marriagehave/​enter into an arranged marriagecall off/​cancel/​postpone your weddinginvite somebody to/​go to/​attend a wedding/​a wedding ceremony/​a wedding receptionconduct/​perform a wedding ceremonyexchange rings/​wedding vows/​marriage vowscongratulate/​toast/​raise a glass to the happy couplebe/​go on honeymoon (with your wife/​husband)celebrate your first (wedding) anniversarySeparation and divorcebe unfaithful to/(informal)cheat on your husband/​wife/​partner/​fiancé/fiancée/​boyfriend/​girlfriendhave an affair (with somebody)break off/​end an engagement/​a relationshipbreak up with/​split up with/(informal)dump your boyfriend/​girlfriendseparate from/​be separated from/​leave/​divorce your husband/​wifeannul/​dissolve a marriageapply for/​ask for/​go through/​get a divorceget/​gain/​be awarded/​have/​lose custody of the childrenpay alimony/​child support (to your ex-wife/​husband)see alsofishwife,housewife,midwife,trophy wifeSee related entries:Marriage,Relations

Word OriginOld Englishwīf‘woman’, of Germanic origin; related to Dutchwijf and GermanWeib.Extra examplesHis long-suffering wife had to put up with his numerous affairs.His wife has just given birth to a son.I first met my wife at college.Mr Thomas is survived by his wife, Muriel.She’s a classic trophy wife—beautiful and half his age.The general was accompanied by his wife.With a dependent wife and children, he can’t afford to lose his job.a hostel for battered wivesAt that time there was an increase in the number of working wives.This is my wife, Julie.Idioms